Aziz Ansari Responds to Sexual Misconduct Claim: ‘I Continue to Support the Movement’

This past weekend saw Master of None star Aziz Ansari seemingly added to the #MeToo movement after an account surfaced of the comedian’s repeated attempts to proposition a date for sex. Now, Ansari has issued a statement largely corroborating the account, and adding “I took her words to heart.”

It was on Saturday that Babe published the account of an unnamed 23 year-old photographer who went on a date with Ansari after the 2017 Emmys, and returned to his apartment at the evening’s end. According to “Grace,” the two engaged in kissing and oral sex, but Ansari was not deterred by repeated verbal and nonverbal cues of her disinterest in sex; at times even chasing her around the apartment and placing his fingers in her mouth. Eventually, an upset Grace left the apartment and reprimanded the comedian via text the next day, to which Ansari responded “I’m so sad to hear this. Clearly, I misread things in the moment and I’m truly sorry.”

Initially, Ansari’s representation declined comment for the Babe story, but Ansari subsequently released a statement both affirming the encounter, and denying any wrongdoing (h/t Vulture):

In September of last year, I met a woman at a party. We exchanged numbers. We texted back and forth and eventually went on a date. We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual.

The next day, I got a text from her saying that although ‘it may have seemed okay,’ upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said.

I continue to support the movement that is happening in our culture. It is necessary and long overdue.

As of yet, no media outlets nor production partners have issued any significant address of Ansari’s reported actions. The story has also become something of a litmus test for the #MeToo movement, as some have come to debate both the account’s reporting and the politics of consent it raises.

We’ll follow along for any updates to Ansari story as they arrive, so stay tuned.